Paleomagnetism of mid-Paleozoic subduction-related volcanics from the Chingiz Range in NE Kazakhstan: The evolving paleogeography of the amalgamating Eurasian composite continent

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2009 Paleomagnetism of mid-Paleozoic subduction-related volcanics from the Chingiz Range in NE Kazakhstan: The evolving paleogeography of the amalgamating Eurasian composite continent Natalia M. Levashova; Natalia M. Levashova † 1Geological Institute, Academy of Sciences of Russia, Pyzhevsky Lane, 7, Moscow, 109017, Russia †E-mail: namile2007@rambler.ru Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rob Van der Voo; Rob Van der Voo 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alexandra V. Abrajevitch; Alexandra V. Abrajevitch 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mikhail L. Bazhenov Mikhail L. Bazhenov 3Geological Institute, Academy of Sciences of Russia, Pyzhevsky Lane, 7, Moscow, 109017, Russia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Natalia M. Levashova † 1Geological Institute, Academy of Sciences of Russia, Pyzhevsky Lane, 7, Moscow, 109017, Russia Rob Van der Voo 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Alexandra V. Abrajevitch 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Mikhail L. Bazhenov 3Geological Institute, Academy of Sciences of Russia, Pyzhevsky Lane, 7, Moscow, 109017, Russia †E-mail: namile2007@rambler.ru Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 25 Oct 2007 Revision Received: 08 May 2008 Accepted: 08 May 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 © 2009 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2009) 121 (3-4): 555–573. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26354.1 Article history Received: 25 Oct 2007 Revision Received: 08 May 2008 Accepted: 08 May 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Natalia M. Levashova, Rob Van der Voo, Alexandra V. Abrajevitch, Mikhail L. Bazhenov; Paleomagnetism of mid-Paleozoic subduction-related volcanics from the Chingiz Range in NE Kazakhstan: The evolving paleogeography of the amalgamating Eurasian composite continent. GSA Bulletin 2009;; 121 (3-4): 555–573. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B26354.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the Ural-Mongol belt between the cratons of Baltica, Siberia, and Tarim is key to the formation of the Eurasian composite continent during Paleozoic time, but the views on this complicated process remain disparate and sometimes controversial. A study of three volcanic formations of mid-Silurian, Lower to Middle Devonian, and Middle Devonian age from the southwestern boundary of the Chingiz Range (NE Kazakhstan) yields what are interpreted as primary paleomagnetic directions that help clarify the evolution of the belt. A single-polarity characteristic component in mid-Silurian andesites yields a positive intraformational conglomerate test, whereas dual-polarity prefolding components are isolated from the two Devonian collections. Post-folding, reversed-polarity overprint directions have also been isolated and are likely of Permo-Triassic age. These new data can be evaluated together with previously published paleomagnetic results from Paleozoic rocks in the Chingiz Range, and allow us to establish with confidence the polarity of each result, and hence to determine the hemisphere in which the area was located at a given time. We conclude that NE Kazakhstan was steadily moving northward, albeit with variable velocity, crossing the equator in Silurian time. These new paleomagnetic data from the Chingiz Range also agree with and reinforce the hypothesis that the strongly curved volcanic belts of Kazakhstan underwent oroclinal bending between Middle Devonian and Middle Permian time. A comparison of the Chingiz paleolatitudes with those of Siberia shows, insofar as the sparse data allow, similarities between the northward motion of the Chingiz unit and that of Siberia, which imposes important constraints on the evolving paleogeography of the Ural-Mongol belt. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.